Visitors

Some of of the more photo worthy passers by from last Summer

First Night on Teal 2014

Ken found this little video yesterday, The day we launched Teal last year. We weren't going to starve anyway.

Getting ready at the pier last June for what was a lovely day sail, Sailed off the pier and out 6 or 7 miles South and back with out ever having to start the engine, Had her at the pier to fit the chain pipe before going on any more adventures.
I made a list of the things I want to get done before the season starts. Its not nearly as bad as I had envisaged. I called about the sails a few days ago also but it seems nothing has be done yet. I've told them to go ahead with the main and mizzen, I had handed in the staysail as well but that will have to wait a little while longer until we can afford it. I would like to get the topsail re-cut if I can because we would like to be able to make proper use of it this year and it just isn't a right fit.

Looking through folders on my PC and came across these few which I don't think were ever posted, The quality is pretty poor though.

Hammering home Teals deadwood bolts. Thinking back on it it was bit of a pain, They fit well in the holes but as they were so long they became quite hard to drive in without damaging the threads. We then had to dig down under the false keel and chisel up from underneath to get the washers and nuts on them.

Very high tide at Ballydehob gathering of the boats a few years back, Síle a Dó floating at pier level.

Saoirse Muireann in a field.

Teal's Winter Coat

Another day or so and I will be starting into what is going to be a very busy start to the year. I will have to dedicate a week to getting the charter boat ready to go in March and once that is out of the way I will have to make so time to do those elusive bits and pieces on Teal as well as a paint up etc etc.
For now she is wrapped up and staying quite nice and dry unlike me who will be building (in the rain).
Happy New Year everyone  !

This could be any Summers day but it was in fact yesterday at Roches Point. Surprising amount of boats out in the harbour mouth and a few sails off in the distance, Within an hour the sun was setting and it was pretty cold so I was happy enough to stay in the nice warm car.

The boats are both now laid up ashore for the rest of the Winter, My Charter boat just got lifted this week so that puts an end to the longest season I have had, I launched in late March and had my last days out early in December. I don't have a Baltimore mooring so I was tying up in Hegarty's which meant getting up and down the river in the morning and evening, leaving at day break and getting back after dark. 

The last morning out the boat was frozen solid when I arrived around 7 on a Sunday morning. She has no cold start so it took a bit of cranking before she came to life. All the decks where frozen as well as all the ropes. I had to stop a few times on the way down river to hose down the windscreen. Things finally thawed out a bit by the time I was South of Baltimore. 

It was a novelty for a few days but I don't envy lads who fish commercially all Winter.

I am going to organise another heavy duty mooring next Summer so I have the option of staying in longer if not all Winter. My current moorings should be well up to it but I would want to be absolutely sure. Operating from a mooring would mean I could avoid the really early mornings and late evenings and working as much in the dark. 

As for Winter sailing! Its pretty dam cold in the wheelhouse not to mind standing in a cockpit.

I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Here's to a great 2015 and a fantastic Summer's sailing. Cheers!